Investigators showed that during in vitro and in vivo K. pneumoniae infections of lung epithelia, microtubules were severed and then eliminated. This destruction did not require direct association of K. pneumoniae with the host cells, as microtubules were disassembled in cells that were distant from the infecting bacteria. [Cell Microbiol]
Abstract

Various alterations in gene expression in cystic fibrosis cells were found which affected glycosaminoglycan (GAG) structures and seemed to influence bacterial adherence to lung epithelium cells. Heparan sulfate appeared to be the most important GAG species involved in bacterial binding. [J Cyst Fibros]
Abstract

In A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells, Zbed3 overexpression promoted cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness, as well as Wnt signaling and expression of downstream mediators, including β-catenin, cyclin D1 and MMP7. In contrast, the Zbed3 mutant failed to enhance β-catenin expression, and its ability to promote cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness was much less than wild-type Zbed3. [J Cell Mol Med]
Full Article

Bronchiectasis can be the result of several different underlying disorders, and identifying the etiology is crucial to guide management. Although no therapy is licensed for bronchiectasis by regulatory agencies, evidence supports the effectiveness of airway clearance techniques, antibiotics and mucolytic agents, such as inhaled isotonic or hypertonic saline, in some patients. [Nat Rev Dis Primers]
Abstract

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Pulmatrix, Inc. will present the results of the recently completed Phase I/Ib clinical trial of Pulmazole, an inhaled dry-powder iSPERSE formulation of itraconazole. [Press release from Pulmatrix, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Seattle]
Press Release

Ascentage Pharma Group Corporation, Ltd. announced that the company presented new clinical data of the dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor APG-1252, a new oncology drug under development. [Press release from Ascentage Pharma Group Corporation, Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research presented at the Asia Conference on Lung Cancer 2018 (ACLC), Guangzhou]
Press Release

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. announced it will present data on two new, novel antibody-drug conjugate platforms. Additionally, the company will present pre-clinical data on the efficacy of XMT-1522 in non-small cell lung cancer patient-derived xenograft models. [Press release from Mersana Therapeutics discussing research to be presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Dublin]
Press Release

Pfizer Inc. announced that the FDA has approved LORBRENA®, a third-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor for patients with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed on crizotinib and at least one other ALK inhibitor for metastatic disease; or whose disease has progressed on alectinib or ceritinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease. [Pfizer Inc.]
Press Release

GlaxoSmithKline plc and Innoviva, Inc. announced that the European Commission has authorized an expanded label for once-daily Trelegy Ellipta, recognizing its effect on exacerbations and making it the first single inhaler triple therapy indicated for patients with moderate to severe COPD not adequately treated with dual bronchodilation or with an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting β2-agonist. [GlaxoSmithKline plc.]
Press Release

The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute, Champions Oncology and EGFR Resisters announced the launch of a new study to create a novel bank of patient derived xenograft models to help researchers better understand why patients living with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive lung cancer develop resistance to treatment over time, or do not respond at all. [The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute]
Press Release

Seven women filed a $70 million lawsuit against Dartmouth College over its alleged role in allowing a toxic culture to form, which led to harassment, discrimination, and assault. The lawsuit argues that the university failed to protect its students from misconduct, which in two cases included rape, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports. [The Scientist]
Editorial

After two years of negotiations, the first real glimmers of what Brexit might involve have emerged. On 14 November, the Cabinet, the UK government’s senior decision-making body, backed a draft agreement on the terms of the country’s withdrawal from the European Union. For science, many of the details that will be most relevant are still to be thrashed out. [Nature News]
Editorial